Explore Your Neighborhood

The term “travel photography” often conjures up images of exotic locations, unfamiliar sights, fantastic vistas. While it’s those photos that often make magazine covers or posters, travel photography is not at all limited to those subjects nor does it require you to fly to some far-flung destination. Even a photo of the mundane things you find in your neighborhood or near your workplace – the empty building across the street, your neighborhood fruit vendor, the raggedy alley cat who insists on perching precariously atop the church wall – can impart a sense of place.

I like getting myself lost. Around my neighborhood, I often wander about looking for interesting places I may have overlooked. I turn left when I normally go right. I meander whenever time permits. Here are shots of the Manila South Cemetery I entered on a whim one morning, on my way to work. Located in Makati City, this cemetery is crowded, with tombs one on top of each other. Funny thing about this place is that a community has somehow sprouted within the cemetery, with simple folks living among the dead. Some might be homeless, seeking shelter under a mausoleum roof. Some might be caretakers who’d rather live on location than commute to work. You can buy food and smokes from a little store.

It’s when you allow yourself to get lost that you find new things to experience, appreciate and shoot. Don’t let the fear of the unknown scare you away because you never know what interesting things you can discover when you take a chance.

Makati Cemetery @Canonet Junior

Makati Cemetery @Canonet Junior

Just remember, when you decide to get lost, make sure you have your camera.